Story Stream

Hey all. Thanks for joining us for Saturday’s game between the Philadelphia Union and visiting New York City Football Club. We’ll update you, the Fan, minute by minute with the latest score, match developments and some commentary, too.

Hey folks. Thanks for joining us for another Story Stream on UnionFanTV. The Philadelphia Union return home with hopes of breaking a three match winless run against Major League Soccer’s new boys, Atlanta United.

Hey folks. Thanks for joining us for another Story Stream on UnionFanTV. On the road again is the Philadelphia Union, who has traveled North of the Border to take on Supporters’ Shield leader Toronto Football Club tonight, at BMO Field.

Here you’ll find the latest updates, player injury reports, key stats and figures, as well as commentary, which will be posted throughout the entire matchday, including the match itself.

Tonight’s Starting XI

Jim Curtin has named his team for tonight’s match against Toronto, which you can find below:

Welcome back to another Story Stream on UnionFanTV. Here you’ll find the latest updates, player injury reports, key stats and figures, as well as commentary throughout the entire matchday, including the match itself.

9:00 AM —

Morning, all.

It’s Matchday 23 for the Philadelphia Union, who will welcome FC Dallas to Talen Energy Stadium later this evening.

Injury Report

FCDallas come to Chester nearing full-strength for Saturday’s out-of-conference clash. There are no injuries to report for the Texan club, although they do have two players currently serving suspension.

Dallas defender, Atiba Harris will not be available for selection, after picking up one too many yellow cards. He’s out for Yellow Card Accumulation.

Ecuadorian youngster, Carlos Gruezo will also miss out on Saturday’s contest. He’s kept out due to a red card he received in Dallas’ last match, against Vancouver.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, have a few injuries of note.

German midfielder, Fabian Herbers is still taking time, recovering from a sports’ hernia surgery. Philadelphia Union captain, Maurice Edu is also on the mend, following surgery on his left tibia.

Promising news for Union fans: the club held a meeting to decide on the future return for Edu. It remains to be seen if Edu will feature for Bethlehem Steel FC first, or off the bench for the Union.

At the back, Andre Blake is recovering from a laceration to his right hand he picked up in the Gold Cup Final, while veteran center-half, Oguchi Onyewu is listed as questionable with a groin strain.

It’s important to note that Onyewu did start for the Union in their last match, a 3-0 loss at New England. He went the full 90′.

Rounding out the injury report for the Union is speedy winger, Fafa Picault. He’s still listed as questionable with a hamstring strain. Although, Picault did feature in the Union’s loss on Saturday, playing 30 minutes off the bench for Jim Curtin.

Tonight’s Starting XI

Here’s the XI Curtin has elected to go with tonight versus visiting Dallas:

7:08 PM —

1′ : Game on.

And the Union are underway from Talen Energy Stadium.

3′ : Picault’s cross goes to waste

Giliano Wijnaldum did well to play in Picault, whose end ball was out of reach of his teammates. No one was up with him, to be fair.

5′ : Ilsinho’s header goes juuuust wide

Good look for the Brazilian from the top of the box.

12′ : Electric stuff from the Union attack.

Again, no cigar. Union are pushing early on, though.

Sapong did well to shrug off a defender and find Picault, whose heroics kept the ball in play. Picault then took on a Dallas defender, beating him for pace. End ball still lacking.

17′ : Holy shit.

Holy shit. DOOP.

It’s CJ Sapong’s 11th of the season, courtesy of fantastic build-up play from the Union. A cheeky one-two from Ilsinho and Haris Medunjanin ends with a DOOP in the Ol’ Onion Bag.

19′ : Big save from McCarthy.

Union keeper keeps it 1-0 to the Union. Pun intended.

Union midfield has done an excellent job at intercepting Dallas’ passes in the middle of the park. In other words, they’re doing the job tonight.

22′ : Ilsinho!

It’s 2-0 Union early on. Ilsinho’s half volley off of a Union throw in is no match for Dallas keeper, Chris Seitz.

Johnny Mac’s kick save forces a corner for Dallas. He stoned Lamah for a second time tonight at the back post.

45′ : Chris Pontius stoned by Seitz

It was another excellent give-and-go by the Union. This time, it was Ilsinho who played Pontius through. His shot was palmed away by the former union keeper.

7:55 —

And that’s the half.

Union leading Dallas two goals after the first 45′.

Updates to the Story Stream will be posted periodically throughout the matchday, as well as during the match itself. Follow @UnionFanTV on Twitter for added commentary, as well as quick hits from tonight’s press conference.

8:10 — Back for more.

Second half begins.

Two substitutions for Dallas. Walker Zimmerman is on for Ryan Hollingshead in the back, while Mauro Díaz makes way for Cristian Colmán at the 10.

51′ : McCarthy snubs Colmán

Coleman was in on goal, but McCarthy was having none of it. Union keeper came out strong, again.

64′ : Marcus Epps on, Chris Pontius off

Youngster on for the Vet.

65′ : Ilsinho to the book

It was a deserved yellow for the Brazilian, even if I cannot describe what he just did (or tried to do).

67′ : CJ Sapong, again.

Sloppy play from Seitz is pounced on by Ilsinho, who lays it off to Sapong for his second of the night.

70′ : McCarthy palms another away

Union’s No. 2 turned No. 1 has been in top form this evening.

75′ : John McCarthy is down

Looks like the Union shot stopper took a knee to the ribs on the corner. He’s slow to get up.

78′ : McCarthy goes down, again

This time it proves fatal, as Dallas scores on an empty net. Looks like he took one to the Family Jewels. Ouch.

GOAL IS DISALLOWED. I REPEAT, GOAL IS DISALLOWED. MEET VAR, EVERYONE.

It is officially the first case of VAR used in Major League Soccer.

8:55 —

90′ + 5′ : Five minutes of stoppage time in this one

Dallas pulls one back.

No help from VAR, this time. It’s Barrios who gives Dallas some consolation.

And that’s it. At the final whistle, it’s 3-1 to the Philadelphia Union.

Thanks for tuning in, as always, to our Story Stream this evening.

Follow @UnionFanTV on Twitter for more, inside the press conference. Good night.